Devotion
God Can Bring Good Out Of Evil
Frances Taylor
Envy can lead to so much evil. In this story of Joseph and his brothers, we see where jealousy can lead. Only one of Joseph's brothers is bothered by plans to kill him, but wasn't there when they decided to sell him into slavery. And think of Israel when he received Joseph's coat returned to him bloodied as though he had been devoured by wild beasts. Envy and jealousy can lead to evil today as well. Families can be torn apart because someone feels slighted. In the story of Joseph, God does not let it end with him as a slave. Because of the actions of his brothers in selling him and his being taken into Egypt, when famine hit the area where Israel lived with his other children, they were able to come into Egypt and prosper. When bad things happen, God can bring light into the situation if we are open to him. But God can bring good out of bad situations in so many different ways. In times of crises, people band together to help one another, bringing strangers together who might never have met. People find wells of strength they never knew they had. We learn two lessons from this story of Joseph. Let us keep envy out of our hearts, and know that God is with us to bring good into any situation.
Prayer
Lord, may my heart always be open to you, thanking you for the gifts I have and not be envious of those who appear to have more, trusting that you are with me no matter what. Amen.
Devotion
Culpability
Frances Taylor
This is an interesting passage because, among other things, it talks about sin and who is considered guilty of sin. Paul is talking about how he has been forgiven, how God has been merciful to him because his actions were committed in unbelief. In order for sin to be committed, one needs to know he is committing it. No one can commit sin in retrospect. Sin is always a deliberate act. This can be hard for some to understand. Actions can be considered sinful, even though the person committing them may not be culpable. For example, lying is a sin. However, is the two year old hiding behind the curtains sinning when he or she claims not to have broken the vase? No, because the child has no understanding of the difference between truth and lie. Those who do not have a relationship with God, who do not know the commandments, who have never heard of Jesus, may commit sinful actions, but are not guilty of sin. This is what Paul claims is his situation. Paul ...
Morning Prayer
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, ) full of grace and truth.
Inspiration
When the Lord sent his only Son, he sent also his word. For his body was this very word made flesh. Importantly this was not simply a manifestation of God's word, but also rather an 'animation' of it (meant here in the original Latin as 'animare' –'to instill with life or spirit'), an instance of God's love and divine grace in action, among us.
Prayer
Lord, I am grateful for your mercy in showing us your word made flesh so that we may be redeemed. Further, I am grateful to you for showing us your love and grace through your only begotten son. Let his body not have been torn and broken for no avail, but feed us now in the Eucharist. Let not his blood have...
